Sonu Sood, who helped countless migrant workers reach their hometowns last year, has continued his efforts amid the second wave of the pandemic. From starting a Coronavirus helpline number that offers free medical consultations to providing at-home testing services, he has his ear on the ground, developing services for those in need. Producer Raaj Shaandilyaa believes the actor’s recent endeavours make him the perfect voice to highlight the story of farmers through their next, Kisaan. 

As his team develops the screenplay, Shaandilyaa reveals the leading man will play son of the soil in the drama. “Sonu is from Punjab and understands the significance of farming. Now, he is our national hero. Through Sonu, the importance of farmers in our lives will be narrated to the audience. If farmers stop working, we will die. Since people look at him in a new light, Sonu will be able to send the message across to everyone,” he states. Sood has been among the Bollywood celebrities who stood in solidarity with the farmers during their protests.

The drama will be helmed by E Niwas. Eager for his first collaboration with the actor, the director — who is currently prepping for the Hindi remake of Aruvi with Fatima Sana Shaikh — says, “Kisaan is a special project. We will start the film after I wrap up Aruvi.”

After Karan Johar’s Ajeeb Daastaans, another big-ticket film has landed in Fatima Sana Shaikh’s kitty. The actor has been roped in to play the central character in the Hindi adaptation of the Tamil smash hit, Aruvi (2017). While the original featuring Aditi Balan was helmed by Arun Prabhu Purushothaman, the directorial baton has been handed to Eshwar Nivas aka E Niwas for the remake backed by Applause Entertainment and Viki Rajani’s Faith Films.

The Tamil film, widely praised on its release, reflected on the misogynistic ways of society through the journey of the protagonist who is disowned by her family and tries to build a life anew in Chennai. If the satire shone because of its script, it was also elevated by Balan’s brave performance as a woman whose rage against society finds an unlikely outlet on a reality show. Shaikh admits she is excited and nervous in equal measure as she gears up to shoulder the movie. “I am thrilled to do the Aruvi remake, and am looking forward to diving deep into the character. I am glad that [the two studios] have come together with E Nivas to make this content.”

The production team is zeroing in on the principal cast before the film goes on floors mid-2021. Producer Sameer Nair, CEO, Applause Entertainment, says the movie is another attempt by the studio to bring strong feminine voices to the fore. “Equally funny and ferocious, Aruvi is a feminist social satire that stunned us when we first saw it. We were drawn in by its unconventional narrative, deftly balancing its black comedy leanings with the beats of a taut thriller,” he says.